Pontiac Sunfire Complaints

1,141 consumer complaints on file.

#10259327February 19, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD ELECTRIC HARNESS ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTO THE LIGHT AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2003, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (GM RECALL NUMBER 03029) ON THE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE IT AFFECTED THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258241February 10, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE LIGHTS AND HEATER WAS TURNED ON THUS CAUSING ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME WHERE I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257966February 8, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2 DOOR HAS FAILED FOR THE 4TH TIME DUE TO CORROSION OF THE OBVIOUSLY-TOO-SMALL GAUGE WIRING AND INAPPROPRIATE PLACEMENT AND WATER-PROOFING OF THE WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS. HEADLIGHT(S) OR FOGLIGHT(S) TYPICALLY EITHER FAIL OUTRIGHT, OR DIM TO ABOUT 10% INTENSITY, CAUSED BY CORROSION IN THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS. PREVIOUS FAILURES OF THIS WIRING HARNESS AFFECTING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND/OR FOGLIGHTS OCCURRED IN JAN 2005, JAN 2006, AND JAN 2007, AND WERE REPAIRED BY REMOVAL OF CORRODED WIRE SECTIONS AND RE-SPLICING OF WIRES. DISCUSSIONS WITH BOTH GM AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CONFIRM MY SUSPICIONS OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN MANY OTHER SUNFIRES AND CAVALIERS. I AGREE WITH A LIFELONG MECHANIC WHO SAYS THE ONLY PROPER SOLUTION IS A COMPLETE REWIRING JOB. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD AS COMPLETE HEADLIGHT FAILURE OR DIMMING CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. A DEAD OF NIGHT FAILURE ANYWHERE, IN THE CITY, NEAR A SCHOOL, OR ON A COUNTRY ROAD AS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND IN HER SUNFIRE, CANNOT BE CONSTRUED AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN LIFE-THREATENING; FOG LIGHT AND HEADLIGHT FAILURE AT ANY OTHER TIME IS DANGEROUS. IF THE FAILURE OF SUNFIRE/CAVALIER REAR BRAKE AND TURN LIGHTS WARRANTED A 2004 RECALL, THEN SURELY THIS EQUALLY OR MORE THREATENING CHRONIC PROBLEM DESERVES ONE. WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED ALREADY IS BEYOND ME. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING A SERIES OF TSBS OVER THE YEARS ON THIS PROBLEM: #03018, #0309, #030842002, #021903, AND THE NHTSA HAS BEEN APPRISED OF THEM. I AM A HOBBY MECHANIC WHO HAS SPENT 45 YEARS BUILDING AND RACING POWERBOATS AND WORKING ON AND RESTORING CARS. I KNOW A DESIGN FAULT WHEN I SEE ONE. THIS ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE SUSPECT WIRING HARNESSES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED, RATHER THAN WAITING FOR THEM TO FAIL (TIME AND TIME AGAIN) AND THEN MAKING SPLICES TO THE WIRING AND CLEANING UP THE CONNECTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255741January 20, 2009
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS CATALYST V TIRES, MODEL 20555R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED ON HER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL SEASON TIRES; HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW BECAUSE THE TIRES SKID AND DO NOT ALLOW PROPER TURNING. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER IS SLIGHTLY SHORTER THAN THE OTHER TIRES AND THE DEFECT OCCURS ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254471January 10, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD ALOT OF SHORTAGES ON MY 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF SIMILAR ISSUES. SUCH AS POWER WINDOW SHORTAGES, HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SHORTAGES, THE LOCKS, AND ISSUES WITH THE DASHBOARD GAUGES NOT WORKING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS TO MANY ISSUES WITH SHORTAGES AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252759December 24, 2008
VISIBILITY
WINDOW MOTORS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252696December 23, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WE HAVE A 2001 SUNFIRE THAT HAS HORN PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES THE HORN WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BY DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WE HAD A 1998 SUNFIRE THAT DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE HORN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250572December 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT USING THE "BRIGHTS". AFTER REPLACING HEADLIGHT BULBS, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SUNFIRE AND IT INVOLVED CORROSION TO THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL, WHICH I DID NOT FIND. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND THERE IS MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN SEVERAL AUTO FORUMS, BUT GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH A RECALL. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND HAD COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHICH I DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE UNTIL SHE WAS FOLLOWING ME AT NIGHT AND I SAW THAT HER HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS, WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN ADDRESSED. I SEE THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING APPROX. $600 TO REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH SEEMS RIDICULOUS, CONSIDERING IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. DOES THERE NEED TO BE DEATHS INVOLVED IN ORDER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED?HEADLIGHTS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249575November 22, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008 I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE THAT I HAD PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 28, 2008. AS THE CAR AHEAD OF ME BEGAN TO BRAKE I BEGAN TO BRAKE AS WELL. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT FEEL AS THOUGHT THE BRAKES "GRABBED" CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE A BROKEN FOOT CAUSED FROM PUSHING ON THE BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10248389November 10, 2008
VISIBILITY
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WORKING SLOWLY. UPON REPLACING THE BAD MOTOR I NOTICED THERE WAS NO ASSIST SPRING ON THE WINDOW LIFTING ASSEMBLY ON EITHER DOOR. ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SPOT FOR ONE ON BOTH ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES THAT I HAD WORKED ON IN THE PAST INCLUDED THESE SPRINGS. I HAD THOUGHT THAT THE ASSIST SPRINGS WERE THERE TO HELP THE MOTOR IN LIFTING THE WINDOW. ESPECIALLY IN A TWO DOOR WITH LARGER WINDOWS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245759October 17, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
MY WINDOW MOTORS STARTED GOING OUT OR LOSING POWER THE SHOP COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM THE FINALLY STOPPED WORKING IN OCT OF 2007 A FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR AND HER DID THE SAME THING AFTER REPLACING THE MOTORS IN THE WINDOWS 8 MONTHS LATER ONE OF THE MOTORS STARTED ACTING THE SAME WAY AGAIN MY FRIEND HAD TO REPLACE HER S ALSO IS THERE A DEFECT WITH THE MOTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245339October 14, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED THE COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE. EACH TIME THE LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THEN THEY QUIT. THE DEALER SAID THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS BUT A NEW HARNESS IS $600. I BELIEVE GM HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR DESIGN AND SHOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HARNESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244158October 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP FAILS EACH TIME IT IS TURNED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVEN TIMES AND HE HAS REPLACED IT EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HE FEELS THAT SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED IF THE CAP BLOWS OFF THE RADIATOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000. UPDATED 11/03/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242156September 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE GAS GAUGE AND THE TACHOMETER ON MY CAR BOTH ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I FILL UP THE CAR, THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T RESET AND OFTEN FALLS OVER INTO THE SPEEDOMETER. THE TACK HASN'T WORKED IN OVER A YEAR. WARRANTY EXPIRED ON THE CAR. MECHANICS SAID I'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PANEL, GIVING MY CAR AN INCORRECT READ ON THE MILEAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241864September 11, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE COUPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AT ALL. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241013September 5, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
THE 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IS AN INFERIOR CAR. MINE CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 57,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, IT WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER CAME OUT AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAD WHITE PAINT OVERSPRAY ON IT. THE DEALER REPAINTED IT. THE SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. THE TURN SIGNALS KEPT GOING OUT & IT WAS FIXED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR WAS NOT COMING OUT OF THE VENTS PROPERLY. THE POWER WINDOW DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED COMPLETELY AROUND 38,000 MILES & PASSENGER INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT WORK. THIS WAS FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK THEM SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FINALLY REPLACED THEM AT THEIR COST BECAUSE THEY SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY GIVEN THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I'VE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWO OTHER TIMES AT MY EXPENSE AND THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AND CREAKING VERY LOUDLY AND I'M TOLD THE BRAKE PADS ARE "CRACKED" BUT THAT IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING. NOW, THE NEW PROBLEM IS, THE RADIO QUIT PLAYING FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND YOU'RE IN IT. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY DOME LIGHT AND MAP LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE HORN NO LONGER HONKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE. I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH THIS CAR BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO GET RID OF IT SINCE I JUST PAID IT OFF IN JULY 2008. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240905September 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, WIPER FLUID WAS LEAKING, AND THE MUFFLER MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,050. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239499August 24, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 270-STATE ROUTE 3, AND WAS DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC! WENT TO CHANGE LANES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT! STARTED MERGING INTO MY CHANGING LANE WHEN I NOTICED A CAR SPEEDING INTO MY CHANGING LANE! I PULLED BACK INTO MY PREVIOUS LANE QUICKLY SO AS NOT TOO BE HIT. SOON AFTER MY CAR STARTED TOO SPIN. DID A 360 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, WENT INTO THE DIVIDING CEMENT WALL, HIT THAT AND DID ANOTHER 360 ON TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY! AFTER CHECKING OUT MY TIRES I NOTICED A FLAT TIRE ON MY FRONT LEFT! LATER IN THE NIGHT NOTICED A ROUND INDENT IN THE SIDEWAY OF THE TIRE BUT LOOKED LIKE A BRAND NEW TIRE! I'VE HAD THESE TIRES A LITTLE MORE THEN A MONTH AND THEY WERE BALANCED AND HAD BEEN PUT ON STRAIGHT FROM THE TIRE DISCOUNT S STORE! THESE ARE YOKOHAMA, YK520 TIRES!! ONLY PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES, NEVER DAMAGED THE TIRES AND NEVER TOUCHED THEM!! NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND SOME DAMAGE TOO THE ENGINE! I VERY UN-HAPPY AND WILL BE TAKING THIS TO COURT WITH MY LAWYER!!! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237233August 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236843August 4, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P195/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE SIDE SKIRT ON THE VEHICLE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE FAILURE ALSO DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WELL. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NO PRIOR WARNING. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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